Method of reducing oil volume in a poletype transformer

ABSTRACT

A method of reducing the volume of oil required by a transformer is described. The sides of a transformer are embossed by use of a metal roller press causing indentations into the metal sides of the transformer.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/794,908, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a method of embossinga transformer tank to reduce the volume of oil required.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The internal components of transformers are housed within oil to aid incooling of the transformer. However, the quantity of oil used can becomea large expenditure to companies that maintain and manufacture thetransformers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We disclose a method of reducing the required volume of oil whilekeeping the standard dimensions of the pole-mounted transformer. Thevolume is reduced by embossing the sides of the transformer. Slightindentations around the sidewall of the transformer serve to reduce thetotal volume of oil required.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is presented to enable any personskilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes ofexplanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent toone skilled in the art that these specific details are not required topractice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications areprovided only as representative examples. Various modifications to thepreferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the scope of theinvention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to theembodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

The transformers may be embossed during manufacture to reduce the volumeof oil required. It should be appreciated that any method of embossingthe tank may be used, but in a one embodiment, the metal may be embossedby use of a press consisting of three rollers lined up side-by-side.With each pass of the rollers, the middle roller applies greaterpressure toward the interior cavity of the transformer. After severalpasses, the metal in the path of the middle roller stretches inward,thus reducing the internal volume of the transformer. The transformerwill therefore appear striated, but will have the same weight generaldimensions. However, the internal volume will be lowered, thus requiringless oil.

Other embodiments are also available for reducing the internal volume ofthe transformer by embossing the transformer. For example, other methodsof embossing include using matching punches and dies possibly coupledwith the use of high pressure hold down cleats. A supported cantileverhorn will serve as the press bolster. The correct set of dies would beselected for the application needed, and the hold down cleats would thenclamp the transformer tank to the horn on each side of the bottomembossing die. The corresponding punch would then press into the tank,by means of a hydraulic press, drawing it to fit the selected die shape.This process may be repeated at several locations on the tank.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claimsand specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an opengroup that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,”“an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include theplural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or moreof something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used toindicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly,other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when aspecific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,”“preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are usedto indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is anoptional (not required) feature of the invention.

The invention has been described with reference to various specific andpreferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understoodthat many variations and modifications may be made while remainingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that methods, devices, device elements,materials, procedures and techniques other than those specificallydescribed herein can be applied to the practice of the invention asbroadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. Allart-known functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements,materials, procedures and techniques described herein are intended to beencompassed by this invention. Whenever a range is disclosed, allsubranges and individual values are intended to be encompassed. Thisinvention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, includingany shown in the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which aregiven by way of example and not of limitation.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documentsincluding issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent applicationpublications, and non-patent literature documents or other sourcematerial, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to theextent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with thedisclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that ispartially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for thepartially inconsistent portion of the reference).

We claim:
 1. A method of reducing the volume of oil required by atransformer comprising: a. embossing the sides of a transformer by useof a metal roller press that stretches the metal toward the inside ofthe transformer.